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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance versus HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh .

Published on May 25, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe essences. They have a total of 19 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Essence South Korean Brand South Korea
Essence South Korean Brand South Korea

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating (7)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Rosacea

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Anti-Aging
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice is the sap of the Asian White Birch tree. Birch juice has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.

The high content of amino acids, sugars, and minerals provide the skin with moisture. On top of that, it contains Vitamins C and B (niacinamide). These two superstar ingredients protect your skin while reducing dark spots.

This white birch is currently being studied for potential anti-cancer properties. It has been used in traditional Asian medicine to help treat infections.

Learn more about Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 1.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 8.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 9.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 10.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. This bergamot is native to Italy.

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is used to add fragrance to products. It contains limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to its furanocoumarins. Photosensitizers make the skin and eyes much more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitizers are linked to skin cancer.

However, more cosmetics using Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil are removing the furanocoumarins.

Bergamot oil was also found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 11.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Lactobacillus Ferment is created by fermenting the Lactobacillus bacteria. It helps keep our skin's natural barrier and microbiome healthy.

Studies show lactobacillus ferment to be effective at repairing the skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier helps keep your skin healthy and hydrated. It also protects against bad bacteria.

As a probiotic/prebiotic/postbiotic, Lactobacillus ferment can help regular our natural biome. In fact, one study found a lack of diversity in our natural skin biome can trigger acne.

Learn more about Lactobacillus Ferment

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 12.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 12.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

We don't have a description for Lactococcus Ferment Lysate.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 13.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 13.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Bifida Ferment Lysate is derived from the fermentation of Bifida bacteria (often with dairy). It is a probiotic and helps to strengthen our skin's microbiome.

Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin against infection. It also helps our skin stay hydrated and healthy.

Studies also show this ingredient to be a promising soothing ingredient for sensitive skin.

Learn more about Bifida Ferment Lysate

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 14.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 14.

8
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

We don't have a description for Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 15.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 15.

9
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 16.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 2.

10
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 19.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 3.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 20.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 27.

12
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 21.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 29.

13
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.

The phospholipids in our skin can be naturally depleted. Replenishing the phospholipids in our skin can help hydrate your skin. Due to their hygroscopic nature, they act as humectants and emollients. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin, while emollients help trap moisture in. This ingredient is non-occlusive.

Studies show phospholipids display antioxidant activity and may help with reducing the signs of aging.

Phospholipids are complex lipids that contain glycerin, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. Some foods that contain phospholipids include soybeans and milk. The phospholipids found in soy come from Lecithin. This ingredient can also be synthetically created.

Some types of phospholipids:

Learn more about Phospholipids

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 22.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 30.

14
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide 3 is a form of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Ceramide NP

Ceramide 3 (Retired) is the N-acylated phytosphingosine having the erythro structure that conforms generally to the formula, where m has a value ranging from 12 to 28 in which the acyl moiety may be saturated, mono-unsaturated, or di-unsaturated and n has a value ranging from 10 to 20. The INCI Name, Ceramide 3, originally developed in 1997, was designated with a retired status in 2014. For an interim period of time, trade name assignments formerly published with the INCI Name Ceramide 3 will be retained in the retired monograph, and also published with the new name assignment, Ceramide NP.

Learn more about Ceramide 3

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 23.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 31.

15
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Stabilising
Community Rating: Liked

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.

Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.

Learn more about Cholesterol

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 24.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 32.

16
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 25.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 33.

17
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

We don't have a description for Phytosterols.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 26.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 35.

18
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 27.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 36.

19
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Balance contains this as ingredient number 28.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh contains this as ingredient number 38.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

43% are loved or liked
29% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
4% have no rating yet
41% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
30% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence 28 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
Hydrating (1) Light (1) Oily (1) Strong Scent (1)
tsmeu's avatar

tsmeu

5 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

I really like the ingredients list, as this contains some of my favorite oils and multiple slightly-more-evidence-based fermented ingredients. The...

I really like the ingredients list, as this contains some of my favorite oils and multiple slightly-more-evidence-based fermented ingredients. The actual product didn't blow me away though. It was hydrating like most essences are but I'm not sure if it did anything more.

I generally like an essence with oil in it but this had a tad more than I prefer. I found that rather than just replenishing my oils, this left enough of it on my skin to make the products I applied on top take a bit longer to sink in. This was especially the case towards the end of using this because the bi-phase formula doesn't stay properly mixed for long after shaking, so in the beginning the oil-to-water ratio is probably going to be lower than when the product is running low.

This has a pretty strong, sweet citrus scent that is quite pleasant and refreshing (reminded me of lemonade), though a little too strong for my personal liking. My skin isn't sensitive to fragrance so I had no irritation due to it but I can imagine some people would.

I wouldn't completely rule out repurchasing this, as I still really like the ingredients and some of their effects are preventive or can be subtle/take longer to show up, so not noticing a big difference in my skin while using this doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't work. However, for now I won't miss this and would rather try other products.

HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence 37 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating

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